A Hawaiian hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Pacific Ocean and affects the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii lies in the central Pacific, where about four or five tropical cyclones appear each year, although as many as fifteen have occurred, such as in the 2015 season; rarely do these storms actually affect Hawaii. Tropical cyclone records were not kept before the 1950s. Earlier windstorms that struck Hawaii were not labeled as hurricanes. Extratropical cyclones are also common, causing considerable damage; they are known as Kona storms, but are not included in counts of hurricanes. List of tropical cyclones This list contains every tropical cyclone that had a somewhat notable effect on the State of Hawaii. Pre–1950 September 1843: The earliest report of a tropical cyclone that could have affected Hawaii was made in 1843. On September 23, a German ship recorded a cyclone (known later as the "Cyclone of the Lark") near 17°N and 141°W. No further records are available, but extrapolation of its forward movement predicted that it would make landfall on the southern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. August 9, 1871: Indigenous newspapers record a major category 3 hurricane causing significant damage across the islands of Hawai'i and Maui. November 1874: In November, a possible tropical cyclone may have dropped over of rain on Honolulu, and southerly gales destroyed 23 homes and damaged at least 50. December 1902–03: A low-pressure system (known later as "The Froc Cyclone") that took a path similar to that of a tropical cyclone, passed through Kaulakahi Channel in late December 1902. No records of unusual weather were recorded, so the storm was likely still forming as it crossed Hawaii. October 1906: In October a tropical cyclone passed about south of South Point. Heavy rains were recorded; "the heaviest in years". A little over fell in 4½ hours. November 1906: south of Honolulu on November 3, 1906, a tropical cyclone was recognized. The storm supposedly tracked northward, passing through the Kauai channel. This cyclone must have been abnormally small or very weak, because climatological records show no unusual rainfall, wind, surge, or low pressure. The storm dissipated near British Columbia. August 1925: In August high seas and gusty winds were recorded in Hawaii from a nearby tropical cyclone. August 1938: Again in August a possible tropical cyclone produced heavy wind and rain in the state. 1950s August 1950: Hurricane Hiki passed